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| The Chaplain (Scott Chappell) holds back Kattrin (China Schauerin) as she tries to attack Mother Courage (Courtney Rowan) in the Theatre production of “Mother Courage and Her Children.” |
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| Soldiers are merry in the “Mother Courage and Her Children.” |
The Theatre department will present “Mother Courage and Her Children” by German dramatist Bertolt Bretcht from Feb. 24 to March 5 in the University Theatre.
Set during the Thirty Years War of 1618-1648, the play follows Anna Frieling, nicknamed Mother Courage. Bretcht's best-known drama trails Mother Courage across Europe. The play chronicles her struggle to maintain her livelihood. Along the way she is forced to sell provisions from her wagon and watch the war devour her sons.
The content of the play is geared toward a mature audience. Bertolt structured the play to focus the audience on the war rather than the characters and emotions.
“Bertolt Brecht wrote the play during the eve of World War II, but it is no less relevant today as it was then, especially in light of our country's occupation in Iraq,” says Bernardo Solano, the play's director and a theatre professor. “This play is one of the 20th century's greatest plays, an epic statement against war and the people who profit from it.”
Solano added the production will be “a unique event in the cultural and political life of this campus” because it will feature original music composed by Music department alumni Jonathon Guillen and Katherine Clever.
“Mother Courage and Her Children” will be staged at 8 p.m. on Feb. 24 & 25 and March 2-4. The show's final performance is at 2 p.m. on March 5. A special 10 a.m. matinee is available on March 1. Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for students, staff and seniors. Tickets purchased before Feb. 24 will receive a $2 discount off regular admission.
For additional information, call the Theatre Box Office at (909) 869-3800.